California Sierra Trail Race?

[joeydurango]

I'm liking where this is going.  Any thoughts on making it not conflict with the CTR?  We might have a new triplecrown on our hands... the Singletrack Bikepacking Triplecrown.  AZTR, CSTR, CTR.  Forget that long dirt road ride down the Divide...

[Sean Allan]

I'm not particularly married to any date. Late July has the most light available and the chance of the most water available. That being said it could be done anytime from early July to late September. It will likely always conflict somewhat with CTR, it is also very similar in length and climbing so I think the chance of someone doing both is pretty slim. September is a nice time of year and I had thought that to be a good time to do it, you would probably lose 10 hours of daylight over the course of the route compared to July, maybe not a deal breaker. Everything is green and the flowers will be out in July. It can be hot in the lower reaches( low of 1000') anytime from May to Oct but we would be out of the heat by the middle of the first day so I don't think that is a huge concern. 

 I'm not doing this for me, I can go out and hit it anytime, I'm doing it for you guys, so if you all feel it should be a different date let me know and we'll work it out. That being said I probably won't move the date on the odd chance someone wants to do both CTR and CSTR. I set this up for people who would like something different and don't want to or can't ride at 10,000' feet plus for 500 miles, rain not withstanding...

[Sean Allan]

This looks like a great addition to the bikepacking events.  A couple of us are wanting to head to Alaska for the Kenai 250 which is also in July so this would be too close to that event.  But, we would be interested in doing this in late August or September as it would be the in between race between the Alaska one and the races starting the first week of October.  What would be the latest a person would want to do this ride without the chance of getting snowed on in the high country?  Maybe a few of us who were planning the AK ride or CTR could do this as a time trial start somtime in September, as there aren't any bikepacking events in August or September.  Thanks for putting this together.  

Do you have approximate miles and elevation?  Also will you provide any cue cards?  % of dirt to pavement?  Thanks again.  Kris.

Kris,
I think the latest you would realistically want to be out on course would be late Sept. Typically we don't see much snow in Oct, but the higher reaches could certainly see snow in early Oct, it could be rippin fun too with a little rain...

Topofusion has it at 393 miles with 66,000' of climbing, those are probably within 3-5 percent. I don't know the exact figure but I think the route has about 75 miles of pavement pretty evenly spread out, you'll be glad for those stretches for the most part. Dirt roads are probably around 60 miles, the rest of the route is pretty much singletrack of some sorts depending on what you consider trail. 100-150 miles of that is pretty incredible stuff. Another 50 miles or so of trail is really hard...
Hope this helps.

[B_Bock]

Sean, It's great to see that you are planing to pull this together for 2013. I think early September would be a good time to have a group start. This would allow for less conflict with other events and no risk of snow. I've lived in the Sierras for almost 30 years and have seen some big snows in late September.
I hope to be at the start whenever it is!
Blake

[kriswilsonbike]

Thanks for the response Sean, from the sounds of it the first week of September might be a great time to do the ride, I think my friends and I will plan that and if you decide to change the race date to the beginning of September that would even be better to meet everyone.  Kris.

[pfaeth]

The date is on my calendar too!  Sounds like a great start.  Thanks Sean.

[forest_on_bike]

If there is some groundswell for early Sept, I'd like to suggest the Saturday before Labor Day. If the route takes 4-5 days, having to ask for only a day or two off of work would be nice!

This works well for locals who are driving up/down to Auburn, but might be more expensive for people who are flying in. Tradeoffs...

The Rubicon will probably have more Jeeps on it that weekend, but I don't see that as a big problem.

My $0.02

Forest

[Jilleo]

I'm also interested in early September. I was already looking for potential local weeklong bike tours in that time period, and this route looks intriguing. I'd love to join a group event if one forms.

[AKSharon]

I would also be very interested in flying down from Alaska if it was over Labor Day weekend, that would give me an extra holiday for flying time!  Sean, it looks like an awesome course, thanks for putting it together and if you decide on the September start, I believe I will be there.

[intheways]

I just moved to Sacramento about 2 months ago and have been looking for weekend-length bikepacking trips.  I would definitely be in for this race, provided timing is right.

[dream4est]

I would be down for this if it does not conflict with CTR. IMO Sean you should rethink your date. Joey is right on this one. A triple crown of singletrack races is a perfect idea.

[Sean Allan]

I'm completely o.k. with changing the date. Labor Day can be very nice although the days are getting shorter. Let's keep up the conversation. For now I'll figure on early Sept.

[joeydurango]

Yay!  Oh wait, should figure out the employee/bike shop situation before making plans to do this whole triplecrown thing.  Damn.  Dream4est, how are you self-employed AND figuring out the time to ride?  I really gotta figure that one out.  In any case I think a Labor Day date sounds sweet.

[ayayron]

I also vote for a Labor Day weekend start...I'm doing CTR and would like to do CSTR as well.  I haven't seen a start date for CTR, has that been announced?

[joeydurango]

No CTR date officially announced, but you can PROBABLY count on July 29 or August 5.  StefanG is really the guy to answer this question, and he'll announce the date when he's ready...

[Sean Allan]

Alrighty then, it appears the masses have spoken.... Labor Day weekend it is.

Now, Friday start or Saturday start?

 For all you folks who don't know the area, remember that this is essentially CTR West. Less elevation, but around the same climbing and mileage. I have actually wondered if it might be a bit harder due to the fact that so much of it is rideable. I like pushing my bike and it gives me a chance to rest different muscles and zone out a bit, there's not a ton of that on this route. Anyways, lets see if we can figure out a start day and I'll get it to Scott to put on the calender.

[forest_on_bike]

I vote for a Saturday start. That way I can drive up on Friday and only have to take, at most, 3 days off of work.

Does starting either Friday or Saturday screw up the section that only allows mt bikes on specific days? That is, would either start day likely cause a majority of racers to hit that section when bikes aren't permitted?

Thanks for putting this together Sean!

Forest

[Sean Allan]

Even days for MTB's on the Mt Rose section of the Tahoe Rim Trail. It's not illegal to ride it on odd days, it's just been a suggested compromise and most all adhere to it. I have been on it on odd days loaded and never had a problem.

 Sat is the 31st, which means two consecutive odd days before Mon. the 2nd. I doubt anyone will complain about a few of us stinky bikers being on it on Labor Day weekend when it is essentially closed to bikes because of the way the date falls, we certainly wont be the only ones out riding it.

My best guess is it possible to get there on Sunday the 1st, but likely later in the day or dark. Certainly if you are very fast you might make it sooner. I'd have to look, but I think that's out beyond 200 miles of pretty hard riding. We won't know until we do it, and in the grand scheme of things it's the least of my worries.

[joeydurango]

Friday, Saturday... it's all the same to me.  Sounds sweet either way.  I am marking this one on the calendar with the best of intentions... hopefully the reality can match up!  Let us know when you get a website rolling.  Thanks so much for getting this going!

[JReeves]

Well I haven't been on here, as I've been hanging my head in shame at my failed attempt at the Colorado Trail Push... (totally kidding).  Although it was a very humbling experience, that I will tackle again one day with a different perspective/goal/attitude/budget/timeframe.

This race really interests me, as it's in my backyard.  I've ridden about a quarter of the route in bits and pieces, and love the idea of tying it all together.  Count me in!  An early September date works great for me as well.  I'll be doing a ton of road and MTB racing this year but the season starts to wind down around September and I would gladly miss another event or two to take part in this.  I'd also be willing to help out with some logistics for out of towners.  The amount of stress/money/time that was spent just getting to the start line for the CTR was tough, so if I can make that process any easier for somebody else traveling this way, I'd love to.  So, Joey, holler as it gets closer and let me know if I can help.
-Jesse